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Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 22, 2017
Microglial/macrophage activation in the cerebrospinal fluid of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Jinghong Li1, Yan He2, Honghao Wang3
1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Chenzhou, China.
Aim:
The aims of this pilot study were to investigate the levels of biomarkers of microglial/macrophage activation-YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14-in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and determine the possible associations between these biomarkers and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
Methods:
We measured the levels of three microglia-/macrophage-related proteins (YKL-40, soluble CD163, and soluble CD14) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, patients' neurological disability levels were assessed using EDSS scores.
Results:
NMOSD patients had significantly higher CSF levels of YKL-40(210.52 ± 161.62 for NMOSD and 63.18 ± 9.22 for control), sCD163 (87.23 ± 56.85 for NMOSD and 58.14 ± 7.66 for control), and sCD14 (68.22 ± 24.11 for NMOSD and 55.75 ± 9.48 for control) compared with controls. Furthermore, these biomarker levels were positively correlated with EDSS scores in patients with NMOSD (r = 0.303, p = .002 for YKL-40; r = 0310, p = .001 for sCD14; r = 0.250, p = .011 for sCD163), but not in patients with multiple sclerosis or glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that microglial/macrophage activation may be implicated in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.
Insights
Biomarkers indicating microglial/macrophage activation, including YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14, were elevated in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). These elevated levels correlated with greater neurological disability, suggesting a role in NMOSD pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neurology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a severe autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- Microglial and macrophage activation are implicated in neuroinflammation, but specific biomarkers in NMOSD are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of microglial/macrophage activation biomarkers: YKL-40, soluble CD163 (sCD163), and soluble CD14 (sCD14) in NMOSD patients.
- To determine the association between these biomarkers and neurological disability, assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, in NMOSD.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from NMOSD patients and healthy controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to quantify YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14 levels.
- Neurological disability was evaluated using EDSS scores.
Main Results:
- NMOSD patients exhibited significantly higher CSF levels of YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14 compared to controls.
- CSF levels of YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14 were positively correlated with EDSS scores in NMOSD patients.
- No significant correlations were observed in patients with multiple sclerosis or glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CSF levels of YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14 suggest microglial/macrophage activation in NMOSD.
- These biomarkers may serve as indicators of disease activity and severity in NMOSD.
- Microglial/macrophage activation is likely implicated in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.
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